WHAT IS REIKI HEALING?

Reiki is a Japanese form of energy healing, a type of alternative medicine. Reiki practitioners use a technique called palm healing or hands-on healing through which a "universal energy" is said to be transferred through the palms of the practitioner to the patient in order to encourage emotional or physical healing.

What are the potential health benefits of Reiki?

Reiki is linked to a range of physical and emotional health benefits, including better sleep, improved mood, and pain relief in published studies. Research suggests Reiki helps the body return to a state of relaxation, which allows it to potentially better heal from damage brought on by stress, injury, or disease. There’s evidence that Reiki, used as a complementary therapy with conventional or mainstream medical care, can help people recover after surgery and manage symptoms of cancer and AIDS.



Is there scientific evidence that Reiki has benefits?

There is little scientific evidence that explains exactly how Reiki works, but studies have found that Reiki can have measurable benefits when it comes to lowering blood pressure, improving sleep, lessening anxiety, and reducing pain. (Some of those studies have been done in specific groups, like people recovering from surgery, and others have been done in healthy individuals.) Keep in mind, however, that Reiki is mostly seen as a complementary therapy by mainstream medicine and is intended to be used alongside standard medical care — not in place of it. If you’re unsure if Reiki can fit into your therapy plan, ask your doctor for advice.